A.J. Burnett Update

Some new information to report on the A.J. Burnett saga. 

Let's start at Viva El Birdos, where lboros is getting a little weary with the constant Burnett sightings and updates.  It's unclear whether he can be described as indefatigable.  Lboros references this Toronto Star article, which has the Cards close but the Blue Jays still in the game.  Another article mentions that the Nationals are still in the running even though they've yet to make an offer.

In light of this information, Brian Walton's Scout.com article has changed significantly.  Walton is still contending that Burnett is due in St. Louis for a physical and has agreed to terms.

Speaking of Burnett in St. Louis sightings, I've got another source adamant that Burnett was seen at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport as first noted yesterday.  My source has talked to the head of security for Terminal A, who is "99% sure" it was A.J. Burnett last night.  Given that both sightings were by Cardinals fans, there may be another explanation to all the madness.   

Comments

[Jarid]

I would believe the Cardinal fans.... Burnett would be the only local not sporting a mullet. Gotta be easy to distinguish.
Pffft.

[RumorMonger]

I can say for sure that the message board Burnett sighting, by Dave Gall, sounds legit. If you read through that thread, it's clear that Dave at least thinks he saw Burnett and isn't making stuff up.

[Jarid]

Even if the Cards do sign Burnett, would he be much of an upgrade over Matt Morris?

I think it is safe to say that Morris's days in St.Louis are pretty much done with or w/o Burnett.

I still find it hard to believe Jocketty shelling out a 4 or 5 year deal to a guy with the arm history as Burnett has. Potential aside, the guy just hasn't stayed healthy enough to "deserve" a guaranteed 5 years.

[RumorMonger]

I think he's a huge upgrade over Morris, several wins better.

Remember that a lot of Burnett's time missed was for Tommy John, which has a high recovery rate.

[Jon]

Burnett can win 20 games with the Cardinals lineup. He is a big upgrade over Morris.

[Jarid]

I still think you guys are siding on potential. The fact still remains that Burnett has had one full season after surgery, is a power pitcher prone to injury, & choked the 2nd half of last year when the attention was on him.

All of that aside, I do believe he has great potential....I guess being a Cubs fan and having the whole Kerry Wood fiasco in plain view, Burnett just makes me cringe.

5 years!? Just shows you how weak the F.A. crop is this year.

[Governor Arnold]

Aside from Tommy John surgery (which is pretty much standard these days), what other injuries has Burnett had? Are they chronic or bad luck? I was just aware of the elbow, which seems to be in his past now, but is there more bad history?

[RumorMonger]

I know there's been elbow inflammation; nothing major besides the surgery though. I can't find a link to a complete injury history, though.

[Michael]

"I would believe the Cardinal fans.... Burnett would be the only local not sporting a mullet. Gotta be easy to distinguish. Pffft."

Funny, I'm here at the 6th most selective university in the country in the middle of St. Louis, and there's not a mullet in sight. Nice prejudiced generalization, though. Bravo.

Isn't it possible that he's in St. Louis to just talk? I don't think seeing Burnett in the airport really means anything.

[The facts are these]

Well if i remember correctly, we signed a pitcher which a history of injuries not two years ago and that turned out fine didn't it? In fact he won the Cy Young.

Take into account the way Tony LaRussa Coaches, he wont leave guys in there too long. Plus, the Cardinals will get Burnett run support the likes of which he has never seen in Florida, so St. Louis will have the ability to pull him early in order to get him some extra rest if needed. Furthermore, the Cardinals (hopefully) will have a completed, reliable Bullpen, so TR won't histate to pull him out early.

[RumorMonger]

Absolutely, Michael - he could be flying in from somewhere different than his agent and may have not decided yet.

[Jarid]

Michael, it was a joke. Lighten up.
You gotta hope the best for Burnett. He definately has a great arm, great potential. I Just really have a tough time with anyone giving him 5 guaranteed years at this point in his career.

[iowalootown]

DALLAS - Around the lobby at the winter meetings:

The Blue Jays received a new contract proposal late Sunday night from Darek Braunecker, the representative for free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett. The Jays and Cardinals are believed to be the leading contenders for Burnett. If the Jays increase their five-year offer from $50 million to $60 million, it could distance them from the Cardinals, who reportedly have offered Burnett a four-year deal for just under $40 million. The Rangers, Mariners and Nationals remain on the fringes of the Burnett sweepstakes.

[Birdland]

Could we all be overlooking the possibility that with increased revenue for almost every club, teams are willing to spend more, and the reason everyone is overspending so much is that we are seeing an adjustment in the market...almost like inflation. There's more money to spend, so players cost more.

[Birdland]

Could we all be overlooking the possibility that with increased revenue for almost every club, that every team is willing to spend more, and the reason everyone is overspending so much is that we are seeing an adjustment in the market...almost like inflation. There's more money to spend, so players cost more.